What Do Jesus’ Parables Mean?
Overview
Jesus was known for presenting many of his teachings in parables, short stories that illustrate a point. In his own day and in ours, Jesus’ stories have often been misunderstood, and their riches have been overlooked. In What Do Jesus’ Parables Mean?, Dr. R. C. Sproul explores the parables of Jesus, laying out their meaning and the rich blessings that they promise to believers.
Top Highlights
“The very word parable comes from two Greek words. Para- is a prefix that refers to something that is alongside something else. For instance, paralegals work alongside lawyers as helpers. And ballō means ‘to throw or to hurl.’ So parable means something that is thrown alongside of something else. In order to illustrate a truth He is teaching, Jesus throws a parable alongside of it.” (Page 3)
“Jesus explained that for those who have ears to hear, the parable provides a deeper understanding of Jesus’ teaching. But for those who don’t have ears to hear, the parable is actually an instrument of concealment. The parable was not given simply to make everything clear to people; it was also given to obscure meaning to those who are outside, who are not given understanding. That sounds somewhat harsh. Jesus came not only to instruct and to help people understand the kingdom of God, He came also as a judgment on those who don’t want to hear the truth.” (Pages 4–5)
“The Pharisees used parables to explain or illustrate the meaning of the Mosaic law. Jesus used them to give new revelation.” (Page 2)
“But since that time, it has become almost universally accepted that a parable’s meaning consists of one central, decisive point. A few parables might have two major points or possibly even three, but we do not treat them as true allegories, finding hidden significance for every single element.” (Page 7)
“The point of Jesus’ parable is a simple one: This man found something that was so valuable that he was willing to give up everything he had for it.” (Page 30)
- Title: What Do Jesus’ Parables Mean?
- Author: R. C. Sproul
- Edition: First edition
- Series: The Crucial Questions Series
- Volume: 28
- Publisher: Reformation Trust
- Print Publication Date: 2017
- Logos Release Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Jesus Christ › Parables
- ISBNs: 9781567698398, 9781567698930, 9781567698947, 1567698395, 156769893X, 1567698948
- Resource ID: LLS:WHTDJSSPRBLSMN
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:47:03Z
R. C. Sproul (1939– 2017) was a respected teacher, theologian, pastor. He was the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries where he served as executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
Sproul held degrees from Westminster College, Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary, Free University of Amsterdam, and Whitefield Theological Seminary. He taught at several colleges and seminaries including Reformed Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary. He served as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, in Sanford, Florida. Sproul’s teaching can be heard daily on the ‘Renewing Your Mind’ radio broadcast which plays in over 40 countries.
Sproul wrote over 70 books and articles including the classic The Holiness of God and several theological articles in Tabletalk magazine.